coolchu001 Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 This particular watch is a BK TW with gen crystal, gen bezel insert w/ superlumed pearl, swiss movement, noob hallow mid link bracelet and WM9 clasp. I'm not exactly sure how this particular combo was created but I would assume the gen crystal is to fix the issue with the over sized etching with the rep crystals. The insert of course is to fix the issue of the pearl and perhaps the font of the numbers. The crystal and bezel insert was installed by RSH. The bracelet has ok SEL but I'll go into more detail with that later, as well as the clasp. Here's a few pictures of the complete watch: Glamour shots: Wrist shots: Keep in mind that this review watch has gen parts so the base TW may not look the same but you can get an idea of what it can be like with gen parts and how it plays with the TW case. Case: First off, let's take a look at the case itself. Here it is on its own without bracelet/strap: You can see that the watch isn't the typical factory watch by examining the bezel edge. It is very well defined and has nice polished/brushed finish. You can also see the CG has a more gen like shape and spacing around the crown. Of course it features triple lock like the gen. Another thing you might notice is the rehaut depth and slope. The rehaut is not shallow nor does it have the slope you see on other reps such as the noob. Another thing worth mentioning is the circle where the crystal meets the case. You'll see a dark ring around it, BK mentions that this is only possible with a gen like constructed case. This give it a distinctive look that other reps do not have. Here you can see the well defined edges and stamping of the crown. The crown has excellent definition on the teeth and the stamping of the logo is sharp. It is cleaner than the one on my noob GMT rep that I used to for my review against a gen GMT. The sides of the case is well made and the polish is quite good. The edges of the case is sharp. The noob GMT I reviewed had dull edges and case end while the gen GMT has sharper edges and pointy ends. The TW case does a good job replicating this. The back edge of the case is very sharp and and the ends are pointy. I might say even more pointy than my gen! The ends have the proper diagonal brushing as per gen. The case back has very good finish and the brushing looks spot on with the case back of my gen GMT. One thing I want to point out is that the case back teeth is well defined and sharp, very gen like quality here. However I would like to point out the engravings between the lugs. The engraving is a bit thin and on my particular case the word design is misspelled as "desing". I asked BK about this issue and was told this wasn't the case in earlier productions but the issue is present on all the cases he currently has on hand. Dial/lume/hands: I believe the dial is the standard TW dial with lume done by PBdad (TW sub may come with the WM9 dial). The font and spacing is spot on with the gen. I noticed that in other reps the "L" in ROLEX is not aligned properly under the Rolex crown logo. The dial is finished in high gloss black with clean dial markers. You can see that the markers at 12, 6 and 9 have thicker surroundings vs the rounded markers. This is also a unique feature of the TW sub. http://i.imgur.com/v5aFJ.jpg The lume application done by PBdad is top notch! Even though it was relumed, the marks do not have the dome/bubble effect. The layer of lume is very consistent and smooth throughout. The brightness of the lume is almost as good as my gen GMT IIc. The color is a bit darker. The lume matches the gen pearl's lume color perfectly. The lume also lasts overnight, but not as long as my gen. TW sub against my gen GMT IIc The hands are also superlumed but I'm not sure if it was done by PBdad or the factory. It too has clean application with no lume seen on the edges and glows uniformly with the markers on the dial. Here's a comparison of the date font compared to my gen GMT IIc. Slightly different, but the printing is very clean and well centered. Crystal (GEN): The gen crystal sits on the case with the correct height. You can see more of the ring of darkness between the rehaut and the crystal. Since it's a gen crystal, the etching is only visible through bright light or magnification. Bezel/pearl (GEN): I believe the bezel has a gen like construction as well. The edges of the case has sharp teeth that are well defined. It feels the same as my gen GMT IIc. The insert sits in with a slight recess which is true to the gen. With this recess, it gives an extra sparkle around the insert. The operation of the bezel on this particular watch is a bit tight, not sure if that's how it was when it left from BK's hands. However it does not have any play at all! Each click is distinctive. Here's a shot of the gen pearl. as perfect as one can get If any of you are planning to get the gen insert for the TW/WM9 cases, do it! It's worth the investment not having to worry about the pearl! You can pick up mint/new inserts over at TRF for less than $200-250; LV ones would run you maybe $100 more. Bracelet/clasp (noob/WM9): The previous owner swapped the TW bracelet and clasp with a noob bracelet and WM9 combo. The noob bracelet has the correct hollow mid links as apposed to the solid ones on the TW bracelet. I had rebrushed the entire bracelet for a more true to gen look. The SEL fitment is not too bad but the spacing between the bracelet and the side of the case can be more leveled. I'm not sure how it is with the standard TW bracelet. However i find that it is quite easy to remove and install the bracelet. It may be due to the better positioning of the spring bar holes on the case or its spring bars. I have also repressed the permanent links together with a case press for a tighter fit to give it less sag. The WM9 clasp has very good engraving and the joints are well made with very little play. However, the space between the two parts of the clasp has brushing that goes perpendicular to the rest of the clasp. This can be fixed by polishing and rebrushing the area in the correct direction. Movement: All BK TW subs come with a verified Swiss movement. This particular one has the 2836 movement. The winding mechanism feels smoother than the Asian movements in my previous Rolex reps. Over the course of 3 days it ran -8 seconds behind my computer's time. This is very good considering it has not been serviced or regulated. Conclusion: I enjoy this watch very much for its gen like feel and quality for a fraction of the price of the gen. It is well made and you can feel the high craftsmanship that went into manufacturing the case. After having the bracelet links re-pressed, the presence of the watch on the wrist felt much more solid. One of the issues with Rolex reps that I've own is the bracelet and that is often overlooked. The only cons that I have with this particular watch would be the lug engraving (not a big issue since you can't see it when a bracelet is installed), and the spacing of the noob bracelet with the TW case. All in all, this was a wise investment for such a high end rep. Saves me from buying the gen Hope you guys enjoy this watch review as much as I enjoy the watch it self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Superb review!!! Excellent detail and some great pics! Thanks for taking the time to do this. It is quite clear how much you like the watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Great review buddy and great pictures,this is perfect timing as I want to purchase a 16610 imminently and I'm not sure what to do but bks is deffinatly an amazing rep with gen insert installed. Thanks again Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duke1973 Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Excellent review and great detailed pictures! Thanks for posting and congrats on the TW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolchu001 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Superb review!!! Excellent detail and some great pics! Thanks for taking the time to do this. It is quite clear how much you like the watch! Great review buddy and great pictures,this is perfect timing as I want to purchase a 16610 imminently and I'm not sure what to do but bks is deffinatly an amazing rep with gen insert installed. Thanks again Ryan Excellent review and great detailed pictures! Thanks for posting and congrats on the TW! Thanks to all the positive comments! I am in process of getting better SEL fitment. I have also reshaped the CG a bit (it's too tall when a gen crown is installed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giobo Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 This is great review!! I have modded my CG's a bit and with the gen crown the now look awesome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 nice review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAM_SWE Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Thanks to all the positive comments! I am in process of getting better SEL fitment. I have also reshaped the <acronym title='Crown Guard'>CG</acronym> a bit (it's too tall when a gen crown is installed) How hard is it to reshape after gen-crown install? BK is doing mine, but i don't know if he also reshape for gen crown fitment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolchu001 Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 How hard is it to reshape after gen-crown install? BK is doing mine, but i don't know if he also reshape for gen crown fitment I just manually sanded the tips to make them flatter and shorter, then sanded the back side to create the slope. The inside was also sanded a bit to create the curves. It's not a difficult process but it takes a lot of time. This was also my first time doing it. After sanding finish off by polishing the CG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 Great review and also a great watch. Do u noticed that the Datewindow is a bit too small? That was the reason why I installed the markers of this dial to a WM9 one that has correct date window! Believe me the Noob+ WM9 Combination is way better than the TW. Thanks for this nice review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 Great review and also a great watch. Do u noticed that the Datewindow is a bit too small? That was the reason why I installed the markers of this dial to a WM9 one that has correct date window! Believe me the Noob+ WM9 Combination is way better than the TW. Thanks for this nice review! Is the date window a huge difference? As in the comparison with coolchu's gen the numbering to me looks bigger on the Tw rather than window smaller? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 I think no, you can't compare a Sub date with Gmt Date.. When you look on a gen Sub u can see more white from the Datewheel. It's all about the Datewindow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Coolchu you said you re brushed your strap,it's looks great,how and what did you use to get that effect. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.genzo Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Believe me the Noob+ WM9 Combination is way better than the TW. I agree, after years noob has still its pros Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolchu001 Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Coolchu you said you re brushed your strap,it's looks great,how and what did you use to get that effect. Cheers I just used scotch brite gray pads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 I just used scotch brite gray pads Cool the body shop have got them at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giobo Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 I have the wm9 dial in my TW but i have the clark crystal installed which doesn't give good mag... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 I have the wm9 dial in my TW but i have the clark crystal installed which doesn't give good mag... That's worth knowing buddy as I thought the Clark was the one to get Unless you bought gen. When I get a tw I'll prob leave stock except insert. I really need to buy a tw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irolexu Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Very cool only makes me more and more excited to get mine back from BK and PBdad. BK is installing gen crystal,insert,crown, and tube a long with clarks click spring. also I asked BK to use just a slightly taller gasket to give the date mag a little more pop lets hope that works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Very cool only makes me more and more excited to get mine back from BK and PBdad. BK is installing gen crystal,insert,crown, and tube a long with clarks click spring. also I asked BK to use just a slightly taller gasket to give the date mag a little more pop lets hope that works Wow that's gonna be another great build.did you supply the gen parts or did bk source them for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irolexu Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I've got my local source in town who I can go for parts for all my builds only little tiny issue was I did ask my guy for a SL insert and he accidentally got me one with tritium which no longer glows instead of C1-C3 which was no biggie I just sent it off for some PBdad treatment Wow that's gonna be another great build.did you supply the gen parts or did bk source them for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blbl Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Very cool only makes me more and more excited to get mine back from BK and PBdad. BK is installing gen crystal,insert,crown, and tube a long with clarks click spring. also I asked BK to use just a slightly taller gasket to give the date mag a little more pop lets hope that works I'm waiting on mine too! The wait kills.. What did you mean by taller gasket to give the mag a little more pop? Make it sit higher? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irolexu Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I asked BK to do a slightly taller gasket then what he normally uses. taller gasket=stronger date mag. the last time he swapped crystals the xstal was way to low and when he brought it up it did make the mag seem nice and presentable not so much on the weak side I think it was a 2.7mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blbl Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I asked BK to do a slightly taller gasket then what he normally uses. taller gasket=stronger date mag. the last time he swapped crystals the xstal was way to low and when he brought it up it did make the mag seem nice and presentable not so much on the weak side I think it was a 2.7mm I agree. Have seen some subs with thedate mag sitting too low kinda like non-existent. If i'm not wrong the gen sits quite high right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin300z Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Awesome pics and review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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